Page 18 of A Long Way Back
His father frowned. “Why do you want this job?”
“I have a sick mother to support, a huge gambling debt and a compulsive gay porn addiction.”
Tay’s parents gaped at him.
Ink winced. “Too much?”
Tay sniggered and they turned horrified faces in his direction.
“Oh come on. He’s joking. I’ve just listened to one bloke after another tell me the same thing. How rewarding they find it being able to give their clients the support they need in order to continue living independent lives in their own home. They all claimed they were passionate, dedicated, positive and attentive. No doubt quoting fromHelper’sbible. He didn’t say any of that.”
His father had been pacing. Now he stopped. “Youneedall of that.”
“I need someone who can make me smile. This is my place. He’s working for me. He’s going to live with me. I get to choose. He’s starting now. Give him the keys.”
“A private word.” Tay’s father beckoned Ink.
Ink followed him to the living room. The guy stepped right into his space but Ink held his ground.
“If you hurt him in any way, I will hunt you down. Understand?”
Ink nodded.Join the pack of hounds already on my trail.
Chapter Three
TAY SHUFFLED AFTER HIS PARENTS as they showed Ink where everything was and where everything was kept, as if he lived in a mansion, not a small flat with a main room and kitchen, followed by a bedroom, then a bathroom, then the small room Ink would use. The dog had already made himself at home. He was sleeping in a triangle of sunlight in the main room.
What had he been thinking inviting a homeless guy and his dog to live with him? No wonder his parents were freaking out.I’m freaking out!Maybe Inkhadlived in Lewisham at some point, but not now. He’d got all his belongings with him, including a scruffy sleeping bag. He was wearing the same clothes as he had yesterday, and he needed a shave. He’d seen the flicker of unease in Ink’s eyes. Tay winced.So why the hell did I choose him?Nothing more than knowing he had to pick someone to keep his parents happy, and the others being non-starters?
It was partly that. He’d said no pets. He’d said no one younger than him. He’d said and thought a lot of things, but none of them seemed important. Tay didn’t want someone sucking up to him, faffing around, fluffing his fucking pillows. He wanted someone normal. Someone who wasn’t trying too hard. Ink had made him smile. Yesterday and again today. Yesterday, this homeless guy had bought him a coffee. When did thateverhappen? Tay needed a friend. Why not Ink? Why not give an out-of-luck guy a chance? Jonty would be proud of him.
His mood slid straight downhill.Fuck off and get out of my head, Jonty.He almost laughed at himself. He had Jonty’s wave of sea glass on the wall as a constant reminder of how he’d fucked up.
“You’ll have to share the bathroom,” his mother said. “Please remember Tay is going to be slower than you.”
“At what?” Tay snapped.
“Everything,” his mother said quietly.
Ink shot him a glance, and out of sight of his mother, his mouth quirked in a grin. “You’re taller than me. A couple more inches to wash?” His gaze slid to Tay’s crotch and Tay gulped as his dick twitched.Oh my God. What the hell was that?
After that comment about gay porn, Tay assumed Ink was gay. Tay, on the other hand, wasn’t sure what he was.
Liar!
But Tay had never had sex with anyone, male or female. Words that would never come out of his mouth. Ever, ever, ever.
He was happy with his own hand.
Am I?
Yes, usually.
He should have picked the oldest, ugliest guy. Not Ink.
But…
How long am I going to lie to myself?
